McKenna's Pharmacology for Nursing, 2e

30

Adrenergic agonists

Learning objectives Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to: 1. Describe two ways that sympathomimetic drugs act to produce effects at adrenergic receptors. 2. Describe the therapeutic actions, indications, pharmacokinetics, contraindications, most common adverse reactions and important drug–drug interactions associated with adrenergic agonists. 3. Discuss the use of adrenergic agents across the lifespan. 4. Compare and contrast the prototype drugs dopamine, phenylephrine and isoprenaline with other adrenergic agonists. 5. Outline the care considerations, including important teaching points, for people receiving an adrenergic agent.

Test your current knowledge of adrenergic agonists with a PrepU Practice Quiz!

Glossary of key terms adrenergic agonist: a drug that stimulates the adrenergic receptors of the sympathetic nervous system, either directly (by reacting with receptor sites) or indirectly (by increasing noradrenaline levels) α-agonist: specifically stimulating to the α-receptors within the sympathetic nervous system, causing body responses seen when the α-receptors are stimulated β-agonist: specifically stimulating to the β-receptors within the sympathetic nervous system, causing body responses seen when the β-receptors are stimulated glycogenolysis: breakdown of stored glucose to increase the blood glucose levels sympathomimetic: drug that mimics the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) with the signs and symptoms seen when the SNS is stimulated

ALPHA- AND BETA- ADRENERGIC AGONISTS adrenaline dobutamine

ALPHA-SPECIFIC ADRENERGIC AGONISTS clonidine (alpha 2 -specific) phenylephrine

BETA-SPECIFIC ADRENERGIC AGONISTS (Also see beta- adrenergic agonists in Chapter 55)

isoprenaline salbutamol salmeterol terbutaline

dopamine ephedrine

metaraminol noradrenaline